Qualitative Approaches for Food Security Assessment 5.1-Examples of Expanded Field Notes

Handout 5.1: Examples of Expanded Field Notes

Note: The following examples are hypothetical examples of expanded notes, which can be significantly improved with more quotes, a tally of specific problems that were mentioned, and more details on these problems.

Please consider using the same format and the writing style of the below examples when working on expanding your notes.

1) Sample of a Focus Group Expanded Notes

Group Name/Number:
Author’s Name:
Note-Taker:
Moderator:
Site: Venue:
Date: Duration:
Beginning Time: Ending Time:
Profile of Participants:
Total No. of participants: No. of Males: No. of Females:
Other:
Tools Used (indicate if Participatory Tools were used, and attach to expanded notes)
Summary of Discussion
A lack or shortage of supplies appears to be a recurrent problem at this clinic. All participants agreed that supplies are sometimes not available. The most reurring examples of supplies given by various participants were pills and injectables. (How often does this happen???)
Another problem with the supply is that the prices change and women travel to the clinic to find they didn’t bring enough money. They expressed that in that case coming to the clinic is a waste of time because they leave empty-handed even though the supplies were there. One participant indicated that this problem could be solved by a phone call to the clinic before th evisit, but the other participants indicated that this is not possible because the clinic staff refuse to give information on prices over the phone ( (Find out why prices change and why this is the case, if true)
One person said when there are supply problems they are told to switch methods. (Who recommends this? Doctor? Nurse? How often does this occur?). Women in presence who have reported that they have been told to switch methods ( a total of 3) said that they have abandoned using the method altogether for this reason. When asked to estimate the proportion of women who abandon methods due to supply related problems, the participants gave an estimate of 30 percent. Some participants (2 midwives who seemed to be quite unhappy –more than others in presence at least- with the way clinics are run) said that this proportion is an under-estimate, and that a more reasonable estimate would be 50 percent (see if the clinics have records on this, and what do clinic staff think?).
It seems like women are left to their own devices when the supply runs short. There don’t seem to be any temporary solutions offered or advised. Participants laughed but nonetheless appeared frustrated about the lack of concern of the clinic staff. One person imitated a staff member throwing up her hands and saying, “Sorry, nothing we can do for you!”

2) Sample of an Interview Expanded Notes

Group Name/Number:
Author’s Name:
Note-Taker:
Interviewer:
Site: Venue:
Date: Duration:
Beginning Time: Ending Time:
Tools Used (indicate if Participatory Tools were used, and attach to expanded notes)
Summary of Discussion
This interviewee has been a nurse at the Poor-Resources Clinic in the Capital City for 5 years.
At this clinic they offer all methods including long-term, permanent, pills, injections, condoms, coil. Clients are free to choose the method they want to use. The typical procedure is that when the client comes to the clinic, the nurse explains (how exactly???) to them all the methods, counsels them on how they are used, and allows them to select their preferred method. According to the nurse, very few of the clients can make the decision regarding what is best for them, and this is why the nurse does not spend time on discussing the best method with the client (do other nurses feel/think/do the same??).
The person is then examined and fitted with or given the method of their choice. Clients are required to make a checkup appointment (for how long afterwards??) to make sure everything is going well for them in relationship to the method. (How many people really come back for the checkup? Is there a charge for the checkup? How often are methods like pills supplied to the client, i.e., are they required to come back to the clinic to be examined if they want to continue using the method?)
The interviewee said that increasing women’s opportunities for HIV testing and counseling by offering those services at the clinic could work if providers were given the proper training, but her tone of voice was doubtful. She really did not seem convinced. She cited rumors in the community as a potential barrier. “Other people know who comes to the clinic and how often”, she said. It was not clear to me whether men played a role in the rumor problem or not – she only mentioned women talking about other women criticizing them for going to get so many condoms.
People at the clinic (employees? or other clients?) talk about who they have seen there, evident because clients find that people they have not told know. Thus, confidentiality appears to be a problem already.